The Metropolitan Museum of Art has decided to cancel its upcoming exhibit that was set to honor British designer John Galliano. The decision comes following strong opposition from the Jewish community and others due to Galliano’s history of making antisemitic and racist remarks.
In an announcement made on Monday, the New York museum stated that the exhibit, originally scheduled to be the featured show for the May 2027 spring Costume Institute event that kicks off the annual Met Gala, will be replaced by a different exhibition, with details to be revealed later.
Max Hollein, the director and CEO of the museum, revealed that after careful discussions with John Galliano, both parties mutually agreed to scrap the exhibition. Galliano also expressed regret, acknowledging his accountability for the hurt caused by his past words, especially to the Jewish and Asian communities.
John Galliano, renowned for his bold fashion creations, faced repercussions in his career after making racist and antisemitic comments in 2010 and 2011, leading to his dismissal as the creative director of Christian Dior. Despite facing a trial for antisemitism in France, Galliano underwent efforts to rehabilitate his image and later found success at Maison Margiela.
Originally slated to be only the third living designer to have a solo exhibit at the Met’s Costume Institute, Galliano’s show will no longer proceed. The Met Gala, a prominent event in the fashion industry overseen by Anna Wintour, a key figure in fashion as Vogue’s global editorial director, typically marks the start of the spring season.
Before announcing the exhibit, the museum engaged in discussions with leaders of the Jewish community in an attempt to mitigate potential backlash. However, the decision was met with increased opposition, including criticism from New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who commended the museum’s choice to cancel the exhibit, citing the current climate of rising antisemitism as a significant factor in the decision.